The best way to visit the Yasawa Islands in Fiji is onboard a small cruise ship. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip!
The Yasawa Islands are a chain of islands in Fiji, located off the northwest coast of Viti Levu. The Yasawas are known for their dramatic peaks and pristine beaches. The clear waters make for excellent snorkeling and diving, and there are many caves and reefs to explore.
In fact, the Islands’ natural exotic beauty has earned them spots on Hollywood movie sets and is a popular choice for reality shows!
The Yasawas are also home to some of Fiji’s most exclusive resorts. But, in my opinion, there’s no better way to see the islands than by taking a cruise.
With a cruise, you can see multiple islands in one trip, and stop to explore each one at your own pace. It can be challenging to travel between islands, so a cruise is a sure way to see everything and make the most of your time on the island.
The Yasawas are a popular tourist destination for backpackers and cruise ship passengers. The largest island is Nacula Island, which is where the majority of the population lives.
The Yasawa Islands were first settled by the Melanesian people some 3,000 years ago. European contact was made in 1789 by Captain William Bligh. The islands were later visited by Christian missionaries who arrived in 1835.
Tourism began to develop on the islands in the late 1960s when a resort was opened on Yanuca Island. Ever since then, the Islands continue to grow in popularity among travelers.
English is the official language and is widely spoken in Fiji, which is a great relief for travelers and makes it easy to get around.
Fijians are also known to be some of the most friendly and hospitable people in the world (and I found this to be very true!).
I took a 4-night cruise with Captain Cook Cruises Fiji during my visit to the Yasawa Islands. The ship was modern and comfortable, and the staff was knowledgeable and extremely friendly. I really enjoyed every minute of this cruise.
The cruise is known for its stops across different islands, where you can go ashore and explore. You can also participate in activities such as snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. The cruise also included meals and entertainment onboard.
I had an amazing time on my Captain Cook Cruise! I got to explore so many remote northern islands and meet local communities that I would never have been able to visit on my own.
But let’s jump into some details.
On the first day, we were welcomed to Tivua island, which is Captain Cook Cruises’ private coral reef island.
We were able to snorkel with baby sharks in crystal-clear water right off the beach, and there was also a volleyball court, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. In the evening, we joined the Captain and his crew for the Gala Captain’s Dinner.
An important tip for the first day, make sure to charge all of your electronics before you board the ship. I arrived from an overnight flight from LAX and planned to charge my camera and drone batteries as soon as I got to my room, but that wasn’t enough time before we left on our first stop.
On the second day, we started with a swim and snorkel in an idyllic bay at Brothers Island. Then, they offered a gourmet buffet lunch as we journeyed to Naviti Island. I loved looking over at the aquamarine waters along the white sandy beaches here. The scenery here is unmatched.
On the evening of the second day, we joined the festivities and entertainment of a Fijian Village at Gunu. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
I was able to try traditional Fijian foods, participate in their dances and ceremonies, and learn about their culture and way of life. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity to connect with people from another culture and learn more about the world.
Some important notes on preparing to visit the villages
I woke up early on the third day of the cruise and was excited to explore and swim in the beautiful Sawa-i-lau lagoon! This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
Later in the day, we visited a local school on Yasawa Island. It was another memorable interaction with local culture and it was very interesting to see how the children here learn and play. The view from the school’s peak was stunning. Back on board, we had dinner and they planned an evening of crab racing!
On the fourth day, the last full day of the cruise, we sailed to Drawaqa Island for some amazing snorkeling. It was a really beautiful last swim through the reefs. If you’re lucky, you might even get to swim with some Manta Rays.
Later in the evening, we had the Captain Cook Cruises Music Quiz. By this time, everyone on the cruise feels like an old friend. I really appreciated the social atmosphere on the cruise — especially since I was traveling solo. This is not always my experience on cruises, so it was a welcome surprise.
I found the other travelers to be very outgoing and friendly and there were other solo travelers on the ship, so we joined in on many activities throughout the trip.
The last day of the cruise was definitely bittersweet. I woke up early and enjoyed the view from my balcony one last time. After breakfast, I said goodbye to my new friends and headed to the pool deck. The crew sang their traditional Fijian song and I couldn’t help but feel emotional. It was a wonderful trip and I’m so glad I was able to experience it!
The Yasawa Islands are located in the northwest of Fiji, and getting there is pretty easy from the international airport.
First, you’ll need to fly into Nadi International Airport. Nadi Airport is the primary international airport for Fiji and a hub for regional travel throughout the South Pacific islands, so you should have no issues booking a flight.
All of the boats and small ships that travel to the Yasawas leave from Port Denarau, which is a 25-30 minute drive from Nadi airport. I recommend staying at a hotel on Denarau Island before you depart for the Yasawas so you can sleep off your jet lag and be refreshed for your island adventure.
I stayed at The Radisson Blu Resort Fiji and absolutely loved everything about it. The grounds are stunning, they have an adults-only pool area, nanny service, several delicious restaurants, and the staff is amazing. I also had the best massage of my life at their spa!
Once you’re on the ship, sit back and relax — you’re in for a beautiful journey.
Amenities
Food
Money
Electricity
Overall, cruising to the Yasawa Islands is a truly unique and wonderful experience. The islands are breathtakingly beautiful, the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the activities are a lot of fun.
Here’s a quick pros and cons list if you’re considering an island-hopping cruise in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands:
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, cruising to the Yasawa Islands is a great way to experience this beautiful part of Fiji. If you decide to check out this unique part of the world, I promise you won’t regret it!
The most common way to travel the Yasawa Islands is aboard the Yasawa flyer ferry, booking a multi-day cruise, or booking a one-day cruise.
Depending on which island you visit, the trip can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours on the ferry. You can also book a multi-day cruise and explore the islands for 4 nights.
I recommend at least 4 nights if you are booking a cruise. You can also extend for 2-4 nights and stay at a couple of different hotels in the area.
The best time to visit the Yasawa Islands is December through February. If you want to avoid the rainy season, avoid the months of November through April.
Flights: Scott’s Cheap Flights is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. If you sign up for their email alerts, you’ll receive flight deals at up to 90% off. I have traveled all over the world using their flight deals.
Accommodation: Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.
Travel Insurance: We never travel without a travel insurance policy because it’s not worth the risk! We use and trust Visitors Coverage, which we’ve used for the past 8 years.
The post Island Hopping in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.
When choosing a floor plan creator there are many things to consider. If you’re a beginner then you’ll want software that’s easy to use with an intuitive interface. On the other hand, if you’re a professional you’ll most likely want CAD (computer-aided design) software with fully integrated BIM (building information modelling) workflows.
With so many options available we thought we’d take a look at the best floor plan creators on the market. We’re going to take a detailed look at what they’ve got to offer and what they’re lacking.
We’re also going to see which are the most affordable options and which ones are available for free. So, let’s see how each floor plan creator fares below.
Floor plans are designs or drawings created by design professionals. They’re used to showcase the aerial view of each floor in a building.
Interior designers can create detailed floor plans with precise physical dimensions that also show the locations of ancillary objects like gardens, open spaces, and more.
A floor plan usually highlights the dimensions and sites of things like windows, doors, and electrical equipment that the building owner wants to include. Most designers now use floor planning software to create accurate floor plans.
A floor plan creator uses lots of different functionalities and tech to build 3D floor plans that are simple and easy to understand. Architects and interior designers can easily access pre-existing templates which means that creating floor plans takes a lot less time than it used to.
Most initial floor plans are created in 2D to give a graphic representation of what the completed building will look like. They can be as simple or complex as the designer wants them to be.
Floor plans used to be manually designed on paper but in the modern day, designers use floor plan software instead. Modern designers use floor plan software to create rough ideas at first and can then create 3D mock-ups of the interiors of buildings.
Both the 3D and 2D designs are then shown to clients to give them detailed examples of how their building will look, which can then be approved.
Planner 5D is probably the best floor plan creator currently on the market thanks to its great features, affordability, and accessibility.
It can be used in any web browser but it can also be used as a native app on MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows. This makes it incredibly user-friendly and you can conveniently access your designs wherever you are.
In all platforms, Planner 5D allows you to start from scratch or to use floor plan templates. You also have access to the innovative ‘Capture Your Room’ feature which allows you to create visual representations of building interiors using the camera on your phone. You can also use Planner 5D to create both 2D and 3D floor plans.
This floor plan software is ideal for both beginners and professional designers. It has an extensive catalogue with many categories such as kids’ rooms, kitchens, offices, living rooms, swimming pools, and patios.
The basic version is free and the premium version costs $5.70 (£5.00) a month which is billed annually at $69.00 (£59.99). The commercial version costs twice as much at $11.50 (£10.00) a month and is also billed annually at $136.00 (£119.99) a year.
This floor planning software can be used to draw floor plans from scratch. Designers can also upload existing floor plans and build on them.
It allows designers to use end-to-end design workflow and has many different options for creating and showcasing designs. This makes it a great choice for both rookies and professionals alike.
Foyr Neo has lots of great features that aren’t usually available in floor planner software within this price range. It also allows you to use Google Calendar to arrange a call with a tutor who will show you how to use the software to its full capabilities.
Foyr Neo prices start at $49 (£43) a month but you can try their 14-day free trial first to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Vectorworks is 2D and 3D, BIM, and CAD floor plan software which can be used on Mac and Windows platforms. This is really fast software with plenty of tools for converting 2D to 3D, converting floor plans, and building designs in both 2D and 3D.
Using a fully integrated BIM workflow, designers can sketch models and it’s perfect for landscape designing, creating floor plans, and industrial planning.
It’s very popular amongst professional designers and architects but it’s not great for rookies without a technical education in BIM or architecture.
Due to the fully integrated BIM workflows, Vectorworks is expensive. It starts at $198 (£123) a month and there are no free trials. However, the high price is worth it for professionals and there is 2GB of cloud storage included in the subscription fee.
Roomle floor plan software is ideal for homeowners and office managers. It’s used to create floor plans that include furnishings and décor to help clients visualize a space. It can also be used to customize and modify objects and spaces.
If you’re looking for free floor plan software then Roomle’s basic version is for you, as it is completely free. For professionals, the Business version starts at $176 (£153) a month and a free trial is available.
Roomle is easy to use and is ideal for both experts and first-timers. It also allows you to create and export floor plans to other software in a PDF format. For those designing products and furniture Roomle has many tools and features that you’ll find useful.
You can upload your product files and use the built-in visual configurator to configure them. This is a handy feature that combines functions which is helpful for rookies as well as professionals.
This floor plan software is best for designers who want a photorealistic product experience due to its huge amount of customization features. However, it’s not ideal for teams as there are few collaboration opportunities.
Smartdraw is primarily software used for making org charts but it also has an online floor plan creator tool. This tool is easy to use and is ideal for collaborating and sharing designs.
Anyone can use the software to draw floor plans online and create visual representations of building interiors. It also has file-sharing programs and architectural design symbols.
If you’re looking for floor plan software that can create floor plans quickly and easily then Smartdraw will be a good choice for you.
If you prefer software with a more engaging and intuitive interface and lots of features, then this is probably not the best option. It also doesn’t include a 3D design feature.
Once you’ve drawn up your floor plans you can download them in PDF, SVG, or PNG formats. However, if you want a more technical design and architecture software features you should look elsewhere.
SmartDraw prices start at just $9.95 (£8.60) a month and there is a free trial available. Considering the collaboration opportunities that the software provides this is a very reasonable price.
Roomsketcher is compatible with all Google devices and the GLM floor plan app. It’s particularly popular amongst real estate agents who want to create accurate floor plans and show them to their clients.
It’s fairly straightforward to use and allows you to create detailed 3D designs and walkthroughs that highlight all of the features of a property. If you’re not planning to create an original floor plan then you can upload blueprints to the software and Roomsketcher’s expert illustrator will draw it.
If you’re happy to use the basic version of Roomsketcher then it’s free. However, in order to create 3D designs you’ll need to pay $49 (£43) a month.
This is some of the best floor plan software available for those on a tight budget as the free version allows you to create detailed 2D designs. However, high-end designers and boutiques will most likely need to find software with better rendering capabilities.
Planningwiz is ideal for real estate agents, interior designers, furniture retailers, and property builders. It can be used to create floor plans in both 2D and 3D.
It’s designed to be easy to use and caters mainly to beginners and small-sized interior designer firms and boutiques. If you’re not familiar with BIM concepts and technologies then Planningwiz may be right for you.
It has a simple interface which makes it ideal for designers and homeowners who don’t have experience with CAD software.
There is a free version that allows you to make 2D and 3D floor plans but it does have some restrictions. Depending on the type of project you might be unable to export or print your designs.
The price of the full version isn’t given on the company’s website so you need to contact them directly if you’re interested.
This floor planning software is great for beginners who just want to make floor plans, convert them into 3D, and then share them. The advanced tools included in the full version are more suitable for professionals.
SketchUp has a low learning curve and is a great option for teams that need floor plan software with intuitive modelling. The main feature of the software is template usage which allows you to draft your ideas from start to finish.
Its drawing tool allows you to be very creative and is ideal for RFIs (requests for information), design ideas, and documentation. It’s relatively expensive at $119 (£103) a month but its floor plan software is available for collaborative work.
You can augment your final designs using some of its many innovative features and it’s compatible with laser tools such as Hersch LEM, Hilti PD, Leica Disto, and MAC PD-I.
It’s often used by real estate agents to create quick overviews of properties which they can then show to their clients. Its creative tools allow you to customise complex designs to fit your needs.
FloorPlanner can be used by homeowners and design enthusiasts with no knowledge of CAD and also by professional designers.
Its features include cloud synchronization, a symbol library, the ability to switch between metric and imperial units, and the option to upload or create new furniture.
In terms of pricing, FloorPlanner is available in different tiers. The basic version gives you a one-floor plan but you need to pay $4.99 (£4.00) a month to be able to create other projects.
The prices for its annual package range from $2.99 (£2.60) to $14.99 (£13) depending on the type of package you choose, and there are free trials available. It’s a favourite for beginners due to its affordable pricing and intuitive interface.
The pro features may be fairly limited but creating new designs is quick and easy. FloorPlanner is good value for money but it lacks some of the complex features of the other programs on our list.
If you’re looking for a floor plan creator that’s built specifically for collaboration then LucidChart would be an excellent choice. You can make fairly detailed designs and then share them with colleagues and clients easily.
For architects and designers with lots of BIM and CAD knowledge, LucidChart may be a bit too basic. It’s a fairly elementary tool that is more suited to beginners than professionals.
It’s not the best floor plan creator for integrations and functionalities but it’s great for collaborative projects. As well as floor plans it can also be used for making charts, documents and visual aids.
LucidChart starts at $7.95 (£6.99) a month making it very affordable. However, the low price reflects the fairly limited functionality of the software.
Sweet Home 3D is an easy-to-use CAD program that won’t break the bank. It’s designed for rookies looking for an inexpensive CAD program that can be used to design floor plans at home.
It allows you to create 2D floor plans as well as 3D previews. It’s also used to design and finalize structure blueprints and understand their placements through the use of other accessories.
There are free trials available and the full version costs $14.99 (£13.00) a month. This makes it affordable but it’s not a great choice for professional architects and designers. However, beginners will find it easy to learn how to use it.
Sweet Home 3D is also an open-source option which is quite rare.
Homestyler is a browser-based floor plan creator that allows you to design floor plans online. It features documentation and annotation functionality for interior spaces which sets it apart from other online floor plan creators.
Realistic renders can be drawn due to the software’s large database which includes doors, windows, walls, and furniture.
It’s very user-friendly and popular amongst first-timers, and it’s also available on several platforms. However, BIM experts and architects would probably not find it to be comprehensive enough for their needs as although it allows you to translate 2D designs into 3D designs, it doesn’t allow you to create 3D renders or models.
Homestyler includes a symbol library, a furniture library, and dimension lines that are designed by the user and can be reused.
There’s a free trial available and the full version starts at $19.90 (£17.30) a month.
Floor plans usually include key levels and dimensions as well as hatching, symbols, and standard abbreviations and annotations which indicate appliances, fittings and materials. Floor plans are usually drawn at scales between 1:200 and 1:20.
There are three different types of floor plan. These are traditional plans, contemporary plans, and custom plans. Traditional plans usually include more walls whereas contemporary plans tend to be more spacious and open. A custom plan could be any type of design.
Scales are used in floor plans to give the designer an understanding of the relationships between a visual representation and reality. Spatial design and architectural drawing require designers to be able to switch between scales and draw to scale accurately.
It’s one of the most important skills that architects and designers must have.
